PillCam colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is an innovative noninvasive, and painless ingestible capsule technique that allows exploration of the colon without the need for sedation and gas insufflation. Although it is already available in European and other countries, the clinical indications for CCE as well as the reporting and work-up of detected findings have not yet been standardized. The aim of this evidence-based and consensus-based guideline, commissioned by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) is to furnish healthcare providers with a comprehensive framework for potential implementation of this technique in a clinical setting.

1.Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries [1]. Although CRC prevention, based on the identification and removal of precancerous adenomatous polyps as well as on downstaging of CRC that has already developed, has been shown to be highly effective in high quality randomized and observational studies [2][3][4], uptake in CRC screening programs is still disappointingly low, especially when compared with the high rate of participation in breast, cervical, and prostate screening programs [5][6]. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE; Given Imaging Ltd, Yoqneam, Israel) is a new endoscopic technique which might have the potential for improving uptake of CRC screening [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. It represents a minimally invasive and painless imaging system that allows exploration of the colon without the need for sedation and gas insufflation. Recently, a second-generation CCE device has been released that provides a higher number of images per second and a larger viewing angle [18][19][20].

Although CCE technology is now available on the market in many countries, its clinical indications as well as CCE reporting and post-CCE work-up have not yet been standardized.

2.Methods

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) commissioned this Guideline, which was then endorsed by its Governing Board. The guideline development process was similar to that used in creating other ESGE guidelines [21]: it included meetings, telephone conferences, and electronic media-based discussions among subgroups and members of the entire committee during October 2010 and March 2011.

Subgroups were formed, each being charged with a series of clearly defined key questions (see Appendix e1, available online). The committee chair (J.P.G.) worked with subgroup leaders (S.A., O.E., G.G., M.P.) to identify pertinent search terms that always included, as a minimum, “colon capsule endoscopy” as well as words pertinent to specific key questions. Searches were performed on Medline (via Pubmed), the Cochrane Library, Embase, and the internet. Articles were first selected by title; their relevance was then confirmed by review of the corresponding manuscript, and publications with content that was considered irrelevant were excluded. Additional articles, including abstracts presented at international conferences, were identified by manually searching the reference lists of retrieved papers. A central repository of selected literature was made available to all members of the guideline development group.Evidence tables were generated for each key question, summarizing the level of evidence of the available studies. The number of articles selected for each task force is indicated in the Evidence table (see [Appendix e1] available online). For important outcomes, articles were individually assessed by using the Method for Evaluating Research and Guideline Evidence checklists as amended by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) [22]. Evidence levels and recommendation grades used in this guideline were those recommended by the amended SIGN system ([Table 1]) [22]. Subgroups agreed by online communication on draft proposals that were presented to the entire group for general discussion during a meeting held in February 2011 (Tarquinia, Italy). During the meeting and following discussion, competing proposals for wording of recommendations or assigning strength of evidence were resolved by formal voting. Consensus was defined as agreement on a statement by ≥66% of participants; this was then termed a consensus statement, and numbered for convenience in the document. Where the guideline development group was unable to achieve a ≥66% agreement on a specific recommendation, the difference of opinion was formally recorded and the reasons for dissent were noted. The results of that discussion were incorporated into the subsequent guideline version and again discussed using email.

Table1

Definitions of categories for evidence levels and recommendation grades used in this Guideline [21].

Levels of evidence

1++

High quality meta-analyses, systematic reviews of RCTs, or RCTs with a very low risk of bias

1+

Well conducted meta-analyses, systematic reviews, or RCTs with a low risk of bias

1–

Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, or RCTs with a high risk of bias

2++

High quality systematic reviews of case–control or cohort studies

High quality case–control or cohort studies with a very low risk of confounding or bias and a high probability that the relationship is causal

2+

Well conducted case–control or cohort studies with a low risk of confounding or bias and a moderate probability that the relationship is causal

2–

Case–control or cohort studies with a high risk of confounding or bias and a significant risk that the relationship is not causal

3

Nonanalytic studies, e.g. case reports, case series

4

Expert opinion

Grades of recommendation

A

At least one meta-analysis, systematic review, or RCT rated as 1++, and directly applicable to the target population; or

A body of evidence consisting principally of studies rated as 1+, directly applicable to the target population, and demonstrating overall consistency of results

B

A body of evidence including studies rated as 2++, directly applicable to the target population, and demonstrating overall consistency of results; or

Extrapolated evidence from studies rated as 1++or 1+

C

A body of evidence including studies rated as 1–or 2+, directly applicable to the target population and demonstrating overall consistency of results; or

Extrapolated evidence from studies rated as 2++

D

Evidence level 2–or 3 or 4; or

Extrapolated evidence from studies rated as 2+

RCT, randomized controlled trial.

Note: The grade of recommendation relates to the strength of the evidence on which the recommendation is based. It does not reflect the clinical importance of the recommendation.

Searches were re-run in March 2011.Studies that were published after this date were not considered for inclusion. In March 2011, the final draft was sent to all individual ESGE members. After incorporation of comments made by the individual ESGE members, the manuscript was then sent to the Editorial Board of the journal Endoscopy for critique and international peer review. It underwent international peer review and the final version was approved by all members of the guideline development group.

Evidence statements and recommendations are stated in italics, key evidence statements and recommendations are in bold. This Guideline was issued in 2011 and will be considered for review in 2014, or sooner if new evidence becomes available. Any updates to the guideline in the interim period will be noted on the ESGE website: http://www.esge.com/esge-guidelines.html.

3.Summary of statements and recommendations

Indications and contraindications for colon capsule endoscopy (CCE)

CCE is feasible and safe and appears to be accurate when used in average-risk individuals (Evidence level 2++, Recommendation grade C). There is a lack of specific studies based in the setting of screening. CCE screening may be cost-effective if it increases screening uptake compared with colonoscopy (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Patients at high risk for CRC, because of alarm symptoms or signs, or a family or personal history of CRC, are at increased risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia and cancer. These patients should be referred to colonoscopy. However, in patients for whom colonoscopy is inappropriate or not possible, the use of CCE could be discussed with the patient (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

CCE is a feasible and safe tool for visualization of the colonic mucosa in patients with incomplete colonoscopy and without stenosis (Evidence level 3, Recommendation grade D). Randomized studies comparing CCE with radiological imaging or conventional endoscopic modalities are needed to confirm the efficacy of CCE in this setting and to better define the patients for whom CCE is most suitable (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

To date, there are insufficient data to support the use of CCE in the diagnostic work-up or in the surveillance of patients with suspected or known inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D). On the basis of preliminary data, CCE may be useful to monitor inflammation in ulcerative colitis, which may help to guide therapy (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Contraindications for CCE are similar to those for small-bowel capsule endoscopy. The use of sodium phosphate as a booster should be avoided in patients at increased risk of sodium phosphate toxicity. Other kinds of booster preparations are under investigation and may be considered in patients at increased risk of sodium phosphate toxicity (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

The risk of capsule retention with CCE is very low. In the case of capsule retention either in the small or the large bowel, endoscopy or surgery can be considered on the basis of the clinical background (EL, 3 Recommendation grade D).

Bowel preparation for CCE

Patients must follow a liquid diet the day before the procedure, whilst the role of low-residue diet is yet to be clarified (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

A total of 4L of polyethylene glycol should be administered before the CCE procedure. A split-dosage regimen with intake the day before and on the day of the examination seems advisable to increase the tolerability and the efficacy of the preparation (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Booster preparations need to be given to improve capsule egestion rates and to complete visualization of the colonic mucosa (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D). In patients without contraindications to sodium phosphate, boosters based on sodium phosphate should be used (Evidence level 1+, Recommendation grade B). Low-dose sodium phosphate boosts have been shown to achieve an adequate CCE egestion rate and should be preferred over higher sodium phosphate doses (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

During the CCE procedure, the use of prokinetics is recommended when the capsule stays in the stomach longer than 1 hour (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Written and oral information about CCE bowel preparation should be delivered by healthcare professionals (physician or nurse) involved in gastroenterology and with experience regarding the technique (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Reporting and work-up of CCE results

The CCE report should provide information on the quality of preparation, technical details of the examination, completeness of the procedure, and on the significant findings (polyps/masses ≥6mm or ≥3polyps, irrespective of size) in a standardized fashion (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D). In particular, size, morphology, and location should be separately described for each polyp.Extracolonic findings should also be reported when clinically meaningful (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Patients found to have a polyp ≥6mm at CCE, as well as those with ≥3 polyps irrespective of size, should be sent for post-CCE colonoscopy for polypectomy (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Patients without significant findings at CCE should repeat CCE or a different screening test after 5 years, unless bowel preparation at CCE was inadequate (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

If overall bowel preparation was inadequate or CCE was incomplete, repetition of CCE or another colon imaging study should be considered (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

4.Indications and contraindications for colon capsule endoscopy (CCE)

CCE is feasible and safe and appears to be accurate when used in average-risk individuals (Evidence level 2++, Recommendation grade C). There is a lack of specific studies based in the setting of screening. CCE screening may be cost-effective if it increases screening uptake compared with colonoscopy (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

In the validation of noninvasive colorectal imaging tests for CRC screening and diagnosis, detection of advanced neoplasia has been regarded as a reliable intermediate end point. For instance, computed tomography (CT) colonography and immunochemical fecal tests have been extensively validated using this end point [23][24]. The validation process generally consists in assessing the accuracy of noninvasive tests for advanced neoplasia, using colonoscopy as an independent “gold standard” [25]. Because noninvasive colorectal imaging tests cannot provide a histological diagnosis, morphological criteria (i.e. polyp/mass ≥6mm in size, or ≥3 polyps) are accepted as surrogate markers of advanced neoplasia (high grade dysplasia, presence of villous component, or malignancy) [7][8][23]. Matching algorithms, based on size matching between the noninvasive test and the reference standard, have usually been incorporated in these studies to assure a reliable assessment of the new tests [7][8][23].

Of note, the accuracy values shown in these studies are independent from the prevalence of the disease. This means that values assessed in a population enriched with regard to advanced neoplasia remain accurate in settings where different prevalences may be expected, such as in asymptomatic average-risk populations.

The average sensitivity of the first generation of CCE (CCE-1) devices for significant findings (≥6mm size, or ≥3 polyps irrespective of size) was 58% [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], substantially improving to 86% with the second generation CCE (CCE-2) devices ([Table2]) [18][19][20]. These rates are higher than the 50% cutoff for sensitivity that has been adopted by the American Cancer Society to define a test acceptable for screening purposes [25], and are comparable or superior to those of other noninvasive screening tests [26]. It should be emphasized that the ultimate aim of CRC screening is not to detect all the prevalent CRC (i.e. 100% sensitivity), but to reduce the prevalence significantly, also taking into account other variables, such as uptake, safety, costs, and complications.

The apparently low specificity shown by CCE (see [Table2 ]; including CCE-2) has been shown to be mainly related to size mismatching between CCE and colonoscopy, resulting in an overestimation of size by CCE for diminutive lesions [18][19][20]. Although diminutive polyps do not represent a primary target for noninvasive imaging tests (see the work-up section below), it cannot be excluded at this stage that their detection may nevertheless be associated with CRC prevention, so that this low specificity should not be considered to be a significant obstacle to CCE implementation in a screening setting [20].

CCE has consistently been shown to be a very safe procedure: no major complication has been reported in over 1500 procedures, of which around 40% were in asymptomatic individuals [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. CCE also appears to be a feasible procedure, with a very low rate of technical failures (i.e. 3%) and a high capsule excretion rate of about 90% [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].

On the other hand, no data are available on the possible uptake of CCE in a screening context. A previous cost–effectiveness analysis has compared first-generation CCE with colonoscopy in a screening setting [27]. Although CCE was not a cost-effective alternative when equal uptake was assumed, it became an efficient option when it was assumed that uptake of CCE would be higher than that of colonoscopy for CRC screening, a premise that has not been demonstrated yet.

Patients with non-alarm symptoms do not appear to be at increased risk of colorectal neoplasia [28]. For this reason, noninvasive tests may be proposed in this setting as an alternative to colonoscopy [29]. Among noninvasive tests, however, imaging tests might be preferred over non-imaging ones (i.e. fecal tests), because of the ability, that may be regarded as clinically useful, to detect non-neoplastic conditions (e.g. vascular malformations). Among noninvasive imaging tests, CCE may be applicable in the context of screening because of the abovementioned considerations of feasibility, safety and accuracy. Although CCE has been shown to detect diverticular disease as well as inflammatory changes of the bowel mucosa [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20], no study has specifically addressed its performance in detecting non-neoplastic alterations.

Patients at high risk for CRC, because of alarm symptoms or signs, or a family or personal history of CRC, are at increased risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia and cancer. These patients should be referred for colonoscopy. However, in patients for whom colonoscopy is inappropriate or not possible, the use of CCE could be discussed with the patient (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Patients with alarm symptoms (rectal bleeding, anemia, weight loss, intestinal subocclusion) are at increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. In particular, these patients are at a 5–10-fold increased risk of malignancy [30]. Patients with a positive fecal blood test are also at increased risk for CRC and advanced neoplasia [24][25][26]. In this setting, a test with a very high sensitivity is desirable and, therefore, colonoscopy or, alternatively, computed tomography (CT)-colonography or barium enema should be considered as the primary options [31]. CCE sensitivity for cancer is still unclear. As shown in [Table3,] the sensitivity of first-generation CCE (CCE-1) for CRC detection was suboptimal compared with that of colonoscopy [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Although CCE-2 would seem to be more sensitive (i.e. 4 cancers detected out of 4 true-positive cases, thus sensitivity 100%) [18][20] than CCE-1 for malignancy detection, data from a larger number of patients are needed before recommending the use of CCE-2 in this setting. Moreover, subocclusive symptoms represent a contraindication to CCE because of the high risk of capsule retention.

CCE is a feasible and safe tool for visualization of the colonic mucosa in patients with incomplete colonoscopy and without stenosis (Evidence level 3, Recommendation grade D). Randomized studies comparing CCE with radiological imaging or conventional endoscopic modalities are needed to confirm the efficacy of CCE in this setting and to better define the patients for whom CCE is most suitable (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

The cecal intubation rate in colonoscopy has been reported to range widely from 60% to over 90% [32][33]. Because of the risk of missed neoplasia in the nonvisualized colon, further tests may be advisable depending on patients’ risk factors (i.e. left-sided polyps, family history, clinical indication). Such tests usually consist of radiological imaging (CT-colonography or barium enema) and/or colonoscopy using different endoscopes (pediatric or variable-stiffness colonoscopes, balloon-assisted enteroscopes) or with anaesthetist assistance [34]. The most frequent causes of incomplete colonoscopy include left-sided angulations caused by diverticular disease or post-surgical adhesions, extensive looping, or stenosing colorectal cancer [35]. In preliminary studies, CCE-1 has been shown to be feasible in this setting, although results for complete visualization of the colorectal mucosa have been conflicting, varying between 50% and 89% in small numbers of patients [36][37][38].

To date, there are insufficient data to support the use of CCE in the diagnostic work-up or in the surveillance of patients with suspected or known inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D). On the basis of preliminary data, CCE may be useful to monitor inflammation in ulcerative colitis, which may help to guide therapy (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) frequently involve the colorectal mucosa, with lesions reported in this location in 70–80% of patients with Crohn’s disease and virtually always in those with ulcerative colitis [39]. Endoscopy is a suitable test for IBD diagnosis, because of its high sensitivity for the detection of mucosal lesions and its ability to sample the digestive mucosa. However, biopsy is usually required to improve test specificity, because of the possibility of false-positive results [40]. For this reason, colonoscopy is primarily recommended in this setting [41]. It is also recognized that treatment of ulcerative colitis should be tailored to the severity of colonic inflammation and that long-lasting ulcerative colitis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal dysplasia and cancer [42][43]. Small-bowel capsule endoscopy provides a very high diagnostic yield for small-bowel mucosal lesions and its use is recommended in specific scenarios of IBD [40]. Similarly, CCE could be used to identify mucosal changes in the colorectal mucosa.

To date, the role of CCE in IBD has been evaluated in only one series [44]. Specifically, CCE has been compared with colonoscopy with the aim of evaluating its accuracy in monitoring colonic inflammation in patients with suspected or known ulcerative colitis. In this preliminary experience, CCE yielded encouraging results for detecting active ulcerative colitis (i.e., sensitivity 77%, specificity 78%) and substantial agreement with colonoscopy [44].

Contraindications for CCE are similar to those for small-bowel capsule endoscopy. The use of sodium phosphate as a booster should be avoided in patients at increased risk of sodium phosphate toxicity. Other kinds of booster preparations are under investigation and may be considered in patients at increased risk of sodium phosphate toxicity (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

CCE entails a similar technology to small-bowel capsule endoscopy, so that contraindications to small-bowel capsule endoscopy apply to CCE. The most frequent contraindications to capsule endoscopy are: dysphagia or swallowing disorder, prior major abdominal surgery of the gastrointestinal tract, known or suspected bowel obstruction, presence of a cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electromedical devices, and pregnancy [45]. In contrast to small-bowel capsule endoscopy, no data on safety of CCE in pediatric patients are available.

In addition to contraindications inherent to the capsule device, further contraindications can exist because the CCE procedure may imply the administration of sodium phosphate, although at lower doses than those usually used for bowel preparation for colonoscopy [18][20]. However, to be prudent, all the contraindications to use of sodium phosphate should be extended to CCE. In particular, sodium phosphate use should be avoided in elderly persons as well as in patients with hypovolemia, baseline kidney disease, bowel obstruction, or active colitis, and also in those who are using medications that affect renal perfusion or function [46]. In patients with contraindications to sodium phosphate, alternative booster agents (see section on bowel preparation) may be considered.

The risk of capsule retention with CCE is very low. In the case of capsule retention either in the small or the large bowel, endoscopy or surgery can be considered on the basis of the clinical background (Evidence level 3, Recommendation grade D).

Capsule retention is a major complication of small-bowel capsule endoscopy, with an overall incidence of 1–2%, although reported rates widely vary between 0% and 21% depending on the indication for the examination [45]. Available studies with CCE, despite the larger capsule size, have not reported any capsule retention or sticking either in the small bowel or in the colon [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Of note, a case of CCE where a stuck colonic capsule was passed through a malignant colonic stricture and removed with the aid of flexible colonoscopy has recently been reported [47]. Removal of colonic capsule retained in the small bowel may require surgery, although removal by device-assisted enteroscopy may be an option [45]. Patients’ symptoms and the possible pathology identified by CCE must also be taken into account in choosing the most appropriate treatment for capsule retention. Albeit infrequently, mild nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting may occur during CCE and are attributed to colon preparation [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][20]. Antiemetic drugs have been empirically used to manage these situations.

5.Bowel preparation for CCE

Patients must follow a liquid diet the day before the procedure, whilst the role of low-residue diet is yet to be clarified (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

For conventional colonoscopy, a low-residue diet is often recommended during the 3 to 5 days before the bowel cleansing protocol itself. The aim is to decrease the amount of solid stool in the colon and thus reinforce the lavage effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions. This recommendation is reinforced when low-volume cleansing protocols are proposed. However, very few studies have adequately addressed the efficacy of this low-residue diet before colonoscopy. On the other hand, when CCE is considered, recent experience seems to suggest that a clear liquid diet on the day before the procedure might improve the quality of bowel cleansing and consequently the diagnostic yield of CCE [9][11][12][18][20]. Therefore, diet recommendations (i.e., liquid diet the day before, low residue diet 3–5 days before CCE) have generally been adopted in the studies published so far. However, the prescription of diet restrictions over several days before the CCE may impair patient compliance with the cleansing protocol.

A total of 4L of PEG should be administered before the CCE procedure. A split-dosage regimen with intake the day before and on the day of the examination seems advisable to increase the tolerability and the efficacy of the preparation (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Booster preparations need to be given to improve capsule egestion rates and to complete visualization of the colonic mucosa (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D). In patients without contraindications to sodium phosphate, boosters based on sodium phosphate should be used (Evidence level 1+, Recommendation grade B). Low-dose sodium phosphate boosts have been shown to achieve an adequate CCE egestion rate and should be preferred over higher sodium phosphate doses (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

During CCE, as the capsule is not equipped to insufflate the colon, aspirate liquids, wash the mucosal surface, and move actively along the gut, the cleansing protocol cannot be restricted to the time before the procedure but must be continued intraprocedurally [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][18][20]. The cleansing protocol for CCE aims at: (i) adequately cleansing the colonic mucosa, (ii) filling the colonic lumen with clear liquids to improve mucosal visualization and to decrease the number of air bubbles, and (iii) facilitating capsule progression so that it reaches the anal verge before the end of the battery life. Unpublished preliminary trials showed that a standard colonoscopy preparation could not achieve these tasks. Three trials demonstrated the efficacy of a protocol combining PEG and boosts with sodium phosphate to provide adequate bowel cleansing and high rates of complete colon examination [9][10][12]. Such a combined protocol has been applied in most subsequent studies although modifications in the timing and doses of the components have been reported. Starting from the experience with bowel cleansing for colonoscopy, lavage solutions with large volumes (3–4L) of PEG solutions have been used in most studies with CCE [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][18][20]. Very little experience with lower doses of PEG or substitutes such as sodium phosphate or magnesium citrate is currently available [48]. Studies demonstrating the equivalence of lower-volume cleansing and PEG protocols for conventional colonoscopies cannot therefore be extended to CCE [49]. Two main split regimens of PEG have been proposed: “3+1” (i.e., 3L of PEG the day before and 1L on the day of CCE) [7][8][9][11][14], or “2+2” (i.e., 2L of PEG the day before and 2L on the day of CCE) [15][18][20]. Although no comparative study is available, the 2+2 regimen seems to be more acceptable to patients and equally effective in terms of colon cleanliness.

To meet the specific goals of bowel cleansing for CCE discussed above, sodium phosphate boosts have been added to the usual PEG and diet recommendations used for conventional colonoscopy. The role of the boosts administered during capsule progression is not limited to increasing and/or maintaining colonic cleanliness but also includes a propulsive effect by means of a volume effect allowing the capsule to move in a watery environment. The propulsive effect of the sodium phosphate boosts results in an effective transit of the CCE device through the small and large bowels with a higher rate of capsule expulsion within the limited operating time of the capsule battery [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][18][20]. Magnesium sulfate has not been tested in this indication. However, a recent randomized study compared boosting with sodium phosphate to boosting with small volumes of PEG and concluded that the rate of capsule expulsion was higher with sodium phosphate [14]. The cumulative dose of sodium phosphate booster adopted initially in CCE studies was 75mL [8][9]. In order to reduce the risk of side effects from sodium phosphate administration, a lower dose (45 or 55mL, in total) has been used in the most recent studies on CCE-2, with no apparent decrease in capsule egestion rate [18][20].

Potential adverse events caused by bowel preparation for CCE mainly appear to be related to sodium phosphate administration. Although no serious sodium phosphate-related adverse event has been reported up to now, after more than 1000 CCE examinations [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][20], use of sodium phosphate should be avoided in patients at higher risk of sodium phosphate toxicity (i.e. elderly persons, patients with hypovolemia, baseline kidney disease, bowel obstruction, or active colitis, patients on medications affecting renal perfusion or with function kidney failure, or having concomitant treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors, etc.) [46].

During the CCE procedure, the use of prokinetics is recommended when the capsule stays in the stomach longer than 1 hour (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Prokinetics have been added to the protocol of bowel preparation for CCE mainly to stimulate the progression of the capsule in the upper gut, especially the stomach. In initial studies, tegaserod [7] and domperidone [8] were used. Domperidone was also used in multicenter trials [9][11][12]. No comparative study has so far been reported that assessed the usefulness of one dose of a prokinetic administered 15 minutes before capsule ingestion. With CCE-2, the data recorder allows real-time viewing of endoscopic images provided by the capsule; administration of prokinetics has thus been limited to cases where the capsule had not entered the small bowel within 1 hour after ingestion [18][20].

Written and oral information about CCE bowel preparation should be delivered by healthcare professionals (physician or nurse) involved in gastroenterology and with experience regarding the technique (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

It is essential to strongly emphasize to the patient the need for good bowel preparation, since the quality of bowel preparation has been found to relate to the accuracy of the CCE procedure [9]. Experience with conventional colonoscopy shows that detailed information must be given to the patient before the procedure. The instructing person may be the endoscopist himself or herself, the referring physician, or an experienced and endoscopy-trained nurse [50]. Beyond the issues of quality and necessity of information with regard to bowel preparation, monitoring or “coaching” the patient during the cleansing protocol might be helpful to improve bowel cleansing.

6.Reporting and work-up of CCE results

The CCE report should provide information on the quality of preparation, technical details of the examination, completeness of the procedure, and on the significant findings (polyps/masses ≥6mm, or ≥3 polyps irrespective of size) in a standardized fashion (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D). In particular, size, morphology, and location should be separately described for each polyp.Extracolonic findings should also be reported when clinically meaningful (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Patients found to have a polyp ≥6mm at CCE, as well as those with ≥3 polyps irrespective of size, should be sent for post-CCE colonoscopy for polypectomy (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Patients without significant findings at CCE should repeat CCE or a different screening test after 5 years, unless bowel preparation at CCE was inadequate (Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D).

Quality of bowel preparation has been related to CCE accuracy for relevant lesions [9]. Mucosal visualization by CCE may be hampered by feces, turbid fluids, or bubbles. Scoring on all these items has recently been included in a grading system that allowed evaluation of colon cleansing for CCE with good interobserver agreement ([Table4 ]) [51].

A CCE examination may be incomplete, mainly because a slow colonic transit that may mean that the battery is exhausted while the CCE device is still in the colon. Therefore, some colorectal segments (usually the left colon) may not be visualized by CCE, potentially leading to false-negative results.

Most colonic polyps discovered at screening are diminutive, with negligible risk of harboring advanced features (high grade dysplasia, villous component, or malignancy) [52][53][54][55]. Moreover, 40% of diminutive colonic polyps are hyperplastic rather than adenomatous [56]. Diminutive lesions identified by a noninvasive test may also be missed by the post-test colonoscopy, because of the imperfect sensitivity of the latter for diminutive lesions [57][58]. By extrapolating data from CT colonography studies that modelled the impact of colonoscopy or continued surveillance for diminutive polyps discovered at CT-colonography, it can be concluded that referral for removal of diminutive lesions found at CCE might carry an unjustified burden of costs and complications relative to a minimal gain in clinical efficacy [59][60]. Moreover, studies on second-generation CCE only provide accuracy data relating to lesions ≥6mm in size, its specificity for diminutive lesions being largely unknown [18][20]. Thus, the only exception regarding post-CCE referral for diminutive polyps is the simultaneous presence of at least 3 of these lesions. Polyp multiplicity has appeared as a strong predictive factor of subsequent advanced neoplasia development in post-polypectomy follow-up studies [61]. Most advanced neoplasias have been shown to be restricted to the relatively small proportion of patients with polyps ≥6mm in size [55]. Consequently, post-CCE colonoscopy referral of such patients may be expected to lead to a substantial reduction of the prevalence of advanced neoplasia in patients initially evaluated with CCE. Although it has been shown that patients with polyps of size 6–9mm may be safely followed up for a relatively short period of time [62][63][64], there is no evidence that CCE repetition after 2–3 years may lead to re-identification of the previously unremoved polyp.

The efficacy of a noninvasive test such as CCE ultimately depends on the identification and removal/biopsy sampling at post-CCE colonoscopy of the lesions found at CCE. For this reason, it is critically important that the size, morphology, and location of lesions should be accurately described, to facilitate the post-CCE identification at colonoscopy. The Paris classification may be extended to CCE to standardize polyp reporting [65].

Similarly to small-bowel capsule endoscopy, CCE may detect clinically important extracolonic findings, such as preneoplastic (i.e. Barrett esophagus), ulcerative, or malignant processes of the upper gastrointestinal tract or the small bowel. Although the impact of CCE diagnosis on the course of these extracolonic diseases has not been addressed, appropriate patient care requires that the presence of clinically important abnormalities should be identified and effectively communicated.

The long-term efficacy of CCE with regard to CRC prevention is unknown at present. A 5-year interval before repeating a new screening test has been recommended for other noninvasive imaging procedures, such as flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT colonography, or barium enema [25]. Considering that the sensitivity of CCE appears to be comparable to that of these tests, the 5-year interval may be extended to CCE by analogy.

If overall bowel preparation was deemed inadequate or CCE was incomplete, repetition of an imaging study should be considered [Evidence level 4, Recommendation grade D].

There is an association between the cleanliness level and the accuracy of CCE for detecting polyps [9]. False-negative CCE findings have also been related to incomplete visualization of the colorectal mucosa because of CCE battery exhaustion [16]. Although possible predictors of inadequate bowel preparation at CCE have not yet been analyzed, the effectiveness of bowel preparation has been shown at colonoscopy to depend on a number of factors, the most important of which is compliance [66][67][68]. Other independent risk factors for incomplete colon preparation include a history of constipation, inpatient status, use of antidepressants, and male gender [68]. In the case of inadequate colon cleansing at CCE or of incomplete visualization of the colorectal mucosa, it may not be possible to exclude even large lesions in the poorly visualized or unvisualized areas. For this reason, based on clinical background, repetition of CCE or a different imaging test may be considered. For a follow-on procedure, whichever one is recommended, the potential reasons for inadequate CCE preparation should be addressed. Poor compliance might be addressed by better education and supervision, and by changing the type and/or intensity of bowel preparation.

Use of this Guideline

The aim of this Guideline is to provide caregivers with a comprehensive framework on how to implement and practice CCE in a clinical setting. ESGE Guidelines represent a consensus of best practice based on the available evidence at the time of preparation. They may not apply in all situations and should be interpreted in the light of specific clinical situations and resource availability. Further controlled clinical studies may be needed to clarify aspects of these statements, and revision may be necessary as new data appear. Clinical consideration may justify a course of action at variance to these recommendations. ESGE Guidelines are intended to be an educational device to provide information that may assist endoscopists in providing care to patients. They are not rules and should not be construed as establishing a legal standard of care or as encouraging, advocating, requiring, or discouraging any particular treatment.

25 Levin B, Lieberman D, McFarland B Screening and surveillance for the early detection of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, 2008: a joint guideline from the American Cancer Society, the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, and the American College of Radiology. Gastroenterology 2008; 134: 1570–1595 et al.

43 D'Haens G, Panaccione R, Higgins P The London Position Statement of the World Congress of Gastroenterology on Biological Therapy for IBD with the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization: when to start, when to stop, which drug to choose, and how to predict response?. Am J Gastroenterol 2011; 106: 199–212 et al.